HABITAT TYPE REPORTING UNDER ARTICLE 17 OF THE HABITATS DIRECTIVE: THE ITALIAN APPROACH FOR THE 2019–2024 CYCLE

The V Annex I habitats reporting cycle, covering the period 2019 to 2024, is being prepared. The institutional referent for this process, on behalf of the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), is the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). The scientific support is given by the University of Sassari (UNISS) and the Italian Society of Vegetation Science (SISV). A working group of thematic and territorial experts is analyzing and validating the data on habitat areas, pressures, threats, and conservation measures provided by the Italian Regions and Autonomous Provinces to ISPRA. The data have been organized in a database developed by ISPRA according to the EU reporting format. Based on the European grid ETRS89-LAEA5210 with a 10x10 km² mesh, national habitat distribution maps have been collected in a dedicated WebGIS system, facilitating access, compilation, and management. However, this process has encountered various challenges. A broad scientific discussion to find methodologically robust solutions to address the difficulties due to data gaps and inconsistencies in the analysis is ongoing. The process aims to ensure the traceability of the information and to facilitate the collection of scientific articles, phytosociological surveys, and unpublished specialist material, thereby creating a substantial pool of data that will support a long-term approach for future reporting cycles. Moreover, the data is being cross-checked with additional sources, including the Natura 2000 database, released by MASE in December 2024. The preliminary findings offer initial insights into the conservation status of 124 types of terrestrial and inland water habitats in Italy, assessed across the Mediterranean, Continental, and Alpine biogeographic regions. Cartographic outcomes, associated databases, and additional data used for the assessments will be made available online on the official website created by ISPRA, once the European Commission has completed the validation process. Furthermore, a freely accessible online archive of phytosociological surveys, representative of the various Annex I habitats in Italy, is being established within the national "VegItaly" database, owned by SISV. This long-term vision, focused on storing and enhancing knowledge, represents a significant step forward in building an effective monitoring system for preserving Annex I habitats in Italy.